Geeks logo

Movie vs Book: 'To All The Boys I've Loved Before'

Unless you've been living under a rock, chances are you've seen the Netflix film starring Lana Condor and Noah Centineo. But did you know it all began with a book by Jenny Han.

By Kristen BarenthalerPublished 5 years ago 3 min read
Like
https://litreactor.com/columns/book-vs-film-to-all-the-boys-ive-loved-before

When adapting a book into a movie, there's bound to be some changes along the way. Character castings may turn out different than the author envisioned or a subplot may be excluded for time. So what's the difference between Jenny Han's To All the Boys I've Loved Beforeand Netflix's "To All the Boys I've Loved Before"?

Spoilers ahead for both versions, so be warned!

1. Kitty's Reasoning

https://www.teenvogue.com/story/netflix-dragging-kitty-covey-stamps-to-all-the-boys-ive-loved-before

In the movie, Lara Jean's little sister sneaks into her room and sends out her letters in an attempt to help Lara Jean get a life. However, the book has a completely different reason for Kitty's treason. Book Kitty sends out the letters as a form of revenge after Lara Jean embarrasses her in front of their neighbor, Josh.

2. Josh's Reaction

https://www.popbuzz.com/tv-film/features/to-all-the-boys-ive-loved-before-cast/josh-sanderson/

Speaking of dreamy neighbor, Josh, he also gets a bit of a shortened storyline in the movie. Choosing to focus on the relationship between Lara Jean and Peter, Netflix basically keeps Josh as a roadblock. But book Josh has an entire subplot where he begins having feelings for Lara Jean after receiving her letter, even going so far as to kiss her.

3. That Fateful First Kiss

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLFrjugkMBM

Movie Lara Jean and Peter have their first kiss at a party playing Spin the Bottle in middle school, which angers Genevieve and eventually becomes the driving force between them. However, in the book, Peter kisses Lara Jean while they're waiting to be picked up from a party at a friend's house when they were young.

While not a huge deal or a change to the plotline, there are some differences between the relationship contract in the movie and the book. In the book, Peter is the one to suggest being allowed to put his hand in Lara Jean's back pocket, and they agree not to watch rom-coms or action movies. In the movie, Lara Jean makes Peter watch "Sixteen Candles" and he makes her watch "Fight Club."

The first real interaction we see between movie Lara Jean and Peter is when she almost runs him over in the parking lot when trying to drive Kitty home from school. Book Lara Jean isn't any better of a driver, but she and Peter first talk when he finds her sitting on the side of the road alone after having been in a car accident.

In both the book and the movie, Lara Jean first kisses Peter in order to avoid Josh after he receives her letter. However, while the movie has their kiss happening on the track during gym class, the book has a more motivated Lara Jean running down the hall and jumping into Peter's surprised arms before she kisses him.

The book ends with Lara Jean deciding to tell Peter how she really feels about him, but that would've been too anticlimactic for a Netflix rom-com, so the movie skips ahead to Han's sequel, P.S. I Still Love You, and shows the two admitting their feelings for each other.

But that's a story for another time, as Netflix has already announced plans to continue the series by making the sequel into a movie as well.

8. Omitted Scenes

https://www.popsugar.com/celebrity/photo-gallery/45167804/embed/45168749/All-Boys-Ive-Loved-Before-Movie-Cast-Photos

If you're craving more Peter and Lara Jean before the sequel's release, try reading Han's book for some super adorable scenes that were omitted from the movie (for what we can only assume was time restraints because these scenes would've melted any girl's heart).

  1. There's a Halloween scene in which Lara Jean is dressed as Cho Chang (from Harry Potter for those of us who don't cross genres) and Peter is dressed as Spiderman. After a little spat about not choosing a couple's costume, the two chase each other down the hallway with Peter shooting webs and Lara Jean casting spells.
  2. At one point, it is revealed that Peter's family owns an antique shop and he takes Lara Jean with him one day to an estate sale, where she learns haggling and befriends the old man selling his things.
  3. The Covey's Christmas cookie bonanza is sadly missed in the movie because Lara Jean (and Kitty by extension) have to choose between making Josh's favorite cookies, or changing up their usual routine and making new cookies Peter suggests.

So no matter what way you get through the rest of your time until the sequel is released, Lara Jean and Peter are the cutest #relationshipgoals around.

So catch up on "To All the Boys I've Loved Before" on Netflix, or read ahead in Han's series to see where the two lovebirds will end up next.

Or if you're just madly in love with Lana Condor and Noah Centineo, YouTube search "To All the Boys I've Loved Before" and continually watch all their promotional videos.

movie
Like

About the Creator

Kristen Barenthaler

Curious adventurer. Crazed reader. Archery fanatic. Amateur author. Librarian.

Instagram: @kristenbarenthaler

Facebook: @kbarenthaler

GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15101108.Kristen_Barenthaler

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment

    Find us on social media

    Miscellaneous links

    • Explore
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Support

    © 2024 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.